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SIGNATURE PROGRAM

Race & Song

Our signature education program, Race and Song: A Musical Conversation, was created by veteran musicians and storytelling troubadours Reggie Harris and Alastair Moock. In this interactive, assembly-style program for all ages, they explore what it means to live in one’s skin, how to talk more productively about race, and how our country’s past informs the present. Now, Alastair and Reggie have developed new versions of the program with the other artists on our roster, creating unique and varied performances with each pairing!

All educational programs

  • Program Format
    Grade Level
    Subject

Race and Song: A Musical Conversation

In this interactive program for all ages, Reggie Harris and Alastair Moock explore what it means to live in one’s skin, how to talk more productively about race, and how our country’s past informs the present.

Artist:

Reggie Harris & Alastair Moock

Grades:

K-12 + higher ed

Format:

Assembly

Creative Revolution

Zakiyyah draws on her own unique sound of Hip-Hopera –– a blend of operatic vocals and original hip-hop –– to explore how the arts advance social movements and to inspire students to find their own voices.

Artist:

Zakiyyah

Grades:

4-12 + higher ed

Format:

Assembly

I Have a Dream: How Martin Climbed the Mountain

Reggie Harris highlights how the contributions of Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, and others helped Martin Luther King, Jr. become a leader who changed the world and added to the fabric of our nation.

Artist:

Reggie Harris

Grades:

3-12 + higher ed

Format:

Assembly

The Language of Song

Alastair Moock brings his guitar and his passion for American folk music to teach students fundamental language arts skills in this spirited, interactive program.

Artist:

Alastair Moock

Grades:

3-5

Format:

Assembly

Music and Social Change

Alastair Moock introduces students to the music that shaped and connected some of America’s most important movements for change, and shows how those movements continue to influence our world today.

Artist:

Alastair Moock

Grades:

3-12 + higher ed

Format:

Assembly

Music and the Underground Railroad

This engaging, interactive concert of songs, stories, and narratives about slavery and the quest for freedom reveals the hope, power, and triumph achieved by a network of multicultural allies.

Artist:

Reggie Harris

Grades:

K-8

Format:

Assembly

Playing with Tradition

Alastair Moock introduces young students to a diverse group of American musicians who have used folk music to teach lessons, chronicle history, champion causes, celebrate victories, and simply make people happy.

Artist:

Alastair Moock

Grades:

PK-3

Format:

Assembly

Power of the Protest Song

Through an engaging and thought-provoking mixture of historical and original songs, stories, and photographs, Pamela Means takes audiences through a history of American movements for change.

Artist:

Pamela Means

Grades:

4-12 + higher ed

Format:

Assembly

Singing Our Way Through

Using a combination of original and historical material, Alastair Moock demonstrates how American music has been used to inspire courage and fuel broader movements for social change.

Artist:

Alastair Moock

Grades:

3-5

Format:

Assembly

Stories On The Wind

Kemp Harris brings his 40 years of elementary school teaching experience with him as he takes students on an amazing storytelling ride through African folk tales, original stories, and familiar adventures from children’s literature.

Artist:

Kemp Harris

Grades:

PK-4

Format:

Assembly

Take the “A” Train

Through a mixture of song, storytelling, poetry, historical photographs and theater role play, Stephanie McKay introduces young library audiences to the creative innovators who defined Harlem Renaissance.

Artist:

Stephanie McKay

Grades:

3-6 (libraries only)

Format:

Workshop

Language in Action

Zakiyyah leads students through a series of writing exercises that help build literacy skills while also engaging in a powerful form of expression that can create healing, empathy, and, when needed, disrupt the status quo.

Artist:

Zakiyyah

Grades:

4-12 + higher ed

Format:

Workshop

Songwriting 101

Alastair Moock's classroom songwriting workshops are a perfect way to expose students to effective writing techniques and literacy skills through fun, small-group exercises and games.

Artist:

Alastair Moock

Grades:

3-12 + higher ed

Format:

Workshop

Build a School Song

Alastair Moock guides students through the process of writing an original school song from scratch, teaching vital language arts skills along the way and engaging in a powerful community building exercise.

Artist:

Alastair Moock

Grades:

3-5

Format:

Residency

Song for a Cause

Alastair Moock guides students through the process of choosing a cause to write about, thinking through solutions, and finding authentic ways to express their voices in the building of a brand new issue-based song.

Artist:

Alastair Moock

Grades:

5-12 + higher ed

Format:

Residency

Talking Race

In combination with an assembly performance of “Race and Song,” this classroom workshop offers small group opportunities for open, honest, and empathetic discussion around identity.

Artist:

Alastair Moock + Reggie Harris

Grades:

4-12

Format:

Workshop

Bring Opening Doors to your community

Our community concerts and education programs are available for booking at performance venues, schools, and civic-minded businesses and organizations everywhere.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Our school programs bring innovative, inspirational, and diverse enrichment experiences to students of all ages.

Our incredible teaching artists use music, narrative, and mixed-media programming to engage students in a wide range of subjects, including American history and identity, language arts, storytelling in the American and African traditions, and songwriting in multiple genres. Explore our assemblies, workshops, and residencies for all ages below!

"Skin color and issues surrounding race should be discussed in school. But it is difficult to do, and there is much fear and concern over getting the words right. I highly recommend 'Race and Song.' Every topic discussed is met with compassion, historical background, love, and a genuine interest in understanding one another's life stories. This program will leave everyone thinking and talking about race in a productive way, and reflecting on how we are all part of this discussion."

Evan Jacobson, Music Teacher

Hatch Elementary School (Oak Park, IL)

"We brought ‘Race and Song’ to our entire school community, and it was a fantastic success. Reggie and Alastair were incredibly kind, open and generous with their time, and their beautiful video provided a jumping off point for really important and timely conversations. All of our students, from our youngest learners to our oldest, were fully engaged and eager to continue the conversation."

Mica Moellering, Head of Performing Arts

Charles River School (Dover, MA)

"Alastair and Reggie taught us about race, identity, hope, and the power of song to bring us together and be a tool for change in the world. The music was beautiful, and the students and teachers left the assembly filled with joy and optimism."

Heidi Paisner-Roffman, Principal

Wellington Elementary School (Belmont, MA)

"As a gay parent of a Black child, I have rarely felt so included by a musician's songs and lyrics... These artists know how to reach kids and adults alike through the power of music. They are walking the talk."

Doug Lockwood

Parent

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